Miscellaneous Windows Insider Program Updates

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Microsoft Store August 2024 update rolling out to Windows Insiders

The August 2024 Microsoft Store update is beginning to roll out to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels. The update will be available for Windows 11 devices (version 22407.xxxx.x and higher).

An updated library experience
In this update, we are introducing changes to the library page. First, we have improved the default filters to show all the products you own, not just products that are installed (you can still toggle this filter if you wish). Next, we've added a search bar that will help you find the name or the publisher of products you're looking for. Combined with the first change, this new experience is powerful: you can easily find any app and game you've ever acquired with your Microsoft account.

A new page for updates and downloads
We are also moving the list of updates and downloads from the top section of the library to its own dedicated page. This new page displays your list of active downloads or pending updates, and it shows the list of recent installs or updates. Version notes will also be displayed for a pending update or active download.

To all Microsoft Store developers, we invite you to update the "What's new" section of your app or game submissions with up-to-date information. Those version notes will appear here for your customers to see.

Limited time events
We are experimenting with a new section on the Games page in some regions that will showcase select partners with in-app events. We have partnered with game publishers to highlight real events that will be occurring during the test period.

The updated Microsoft Store badge is here!
We've refreshed the design of the Microsoft Store badge with a more refined call-to-action to give users more confidence to acquire your app.

These changes are live on the badge creator page, as well as on any website that currently uses the Microsoft Store badge. For developers that have already been using these externally, you'll automatically get the new badge. If you haven't been using them, now's a great time to get one for your app and increase reach.

To learn more about the new badge, including creating one and best practices, head over to our Microsoft Learn page.

[These features are beginning to roll out, so they may not be available to all Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels just yet as we plan to monitor feedback and see how it lands before pushing them out to everyone.]

Please try out these changes and let us know what you think. Our team is always listening for feedback!

FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Microsoft Store.

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Microsoft Store October 2024 update rolling out to Windows Insiders

The October 2024 Microsoft Store update is beginning to roll out to all Windows Insiders.

A new product page experience

We're introducing a new feature for product pages that adds an immersive experience to the top of the page. For apps and games that provide a trailer, you'll be able to enjoy it as you navigate to their various pages. Meanwhile, products without trailers will use beautiful hero images provided by the developers. There's also an option in the Store settings page to toggle video autoplay on or off.

The new product page experience will be rolling out starting with version 22409 or higher of the Microsoft Store, and it will be available in both light and dark modes. It will also start rolling out to non-Insiders soon.

For developers, we invite all of you to update your Microsoft Store app listing with immersive trailers or hero images.

FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Microsoft Store.

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Microsoft Photos update with super resolution begins rolling out to Windows Insiders

Releasing a preview of super resolution for Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, along with OCR support and other productivity-focused improvements to the Photos app. This update is now available to Windows Insiders on Windows 11 across all Insider Channels.

Introducing super resolution on Copilot+ PC

This update brings a preview of super resolution to Windows Insiders on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs*. Super resolution uses AI to enhance and enlarge images up to 8x the original image size. Super resolution is perfect for improving low-quality photos, preparing photos for large prints or displays, and tight cropping without giving up image resolution to zero into the content you want to focus on.

Super resolution leverages the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) on the Copilot+ PC to deliver enhancements quickly and efficiently, all done locally on your PC. You can access super resolution from the Photos Editor to enhance your images within seconds.

OCR Support in the Photos app for all Windows 11 and Windows 10 PCs

We understand the importance of easily accessing and managing the information captured in your photos. To support this, we are introducing Optical Character Recognition (OCR) in the Photos app to improve productivity and make managing information in your images easier. With OCR, the app detects text in your photos, allowing you to copy it directly to your clipboard—whether it's from pictures of documents, notes, or screenshots. Once text is detected, you can copy specific sections and paste them into other apps.  OCR supports over 160 languages and can be accessed via the OCR icon at the bottom of the image when text is identified.

Other fixes and improvements

• In response to user feedback, we are launching single-click support in the Gallery. With this update, you can now open individual images with a single click to make navigation more efficient. If double clicking is your preference, it will still work the same as before.
• Enhancements to the Zoom feature now include large images automatically resizing to fit within the Viewer window and improved synchronization between the zoom slider and the zoom selection display.
• We implemented bug fixes for the Image creator and Restyle image features on Copilot+ PCs to improve overall quality.

To get these new features, update your app to version 2024.11100.17007.0 or higher via the Microsoft Store. This update is currently rolling out, so it may not be available right away. As always, we love getting your feedback so please share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (Win + F) under Apps > Photos.

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New AI experiences for Paint and Notepad begin rolling out to Windows Insiders

UPDATED 11/14: The Paint and Notepad updates are beginning to rollout to Windows Insiders in the Beta and Release Preview Channels. Please note, however, that generative fill in Paint is ONLY available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs on Windows 11, version 24H2 and higher so this feature will not be available in this Paint update in the Beta Channel.

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Microsoft Store Update

For Win32 apps that are "provided and updated" by their publishers, the Microsoft Store will now support updating directly in the Store. Previously, these apps could only be updated outside of the Microsoft Store. Insiders can head to the Downloads page and click Get Updates. If any installed apps of this type have updates, it'll be displayed on the pending list. You can perform the update by clicking the update button; it won't start automatically.

You can also head to the product page and see an update button.

Windows Insiders across all channels running Microsoft Store version 22411.1401.x.x and higher will see this improvement.

Click here to read more about recent updates to the Microsoft Store!

FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Microsoft Store.

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Microsoft Copilot Update

An update for the Microsoft Copilot app for Windows is beginning to roll out via the Microsoft Store that introduces the following changes and improvements:

It's native: With this update, the previous Copilot progressive web app (PWA) is replaced with a native version. After installing the Copilot app update, when you run Copilot, you will see it appear in your system tray.

New quick view: You can access the new quick view for Copilot by using the Alt + Space keyboard shortcut on Windows 10 and 11 PCs. You will be able to move the quick view window and resize it to suit your workflow and you can use Alt + Space to open and close Copilot's quick view whenever you need. To flip back to the main Copilot app window, just press the icon at the top left corner of the quick view window. PCs with the dedicated Copilot key will open the Copilot app up the main window. Copilot will continue to explore options related to the keyboard shortcuts for the app.

Note: The Copilot app for Windows uses the RegisterHotKey function for the Alt + Space keyboard shortcut. Many apps use this keyboard shortcut today. For any apps installed on your PC that might utilize this keyboard shortcut, Windows will register whichever app is launched first on your PC and running in the background as the app that is invoked when using Alt + Space.

This Copilot app update (version 1.24112.123.0 and higher) is beginning to roll out across all Insider Channels via the Microsoft Store. This is a gradual roll out so not all Insiders will get the update right away. We are excited to be previewing improvements with our Insiders to ensure all our customers have a great Copilot experience for Windows.

FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Copilot.

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Phone Link Update

Gradual rollout of the ability to seamlessly share files between your iPhone® and Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC when they are connected via Phone Link.

To use this feature, you'll need to meet the following requirements:

• An iPhone® that is running iOS 16 or higher.
  
• The Link to Windows app on your iPhone (version 1.24112.73 or higher).
  
• Phone Link version 1.24112.89.0 or higher.
  
• You are registered for the Windows Insider Program.

If you haven't used your iPhone® with Phone Link before, you'll be offered file sharing during the Phone Link setup process.

If you already have your iPhone® paired with Phone Link, you can set up file sharing by going to aka.ms/addAccount on your PC.

To share a file from your iPhone® to your PC:

• Navigate to a file or set of files you want to share on your iPhone®.
• Tap the share icon.
• Tap "Link to Windows".
• Tap the device you would like to share your file or files with.

To share a file from your PC to your iPhone®:

• Select the file or files you want to share on your PC (local files only).
• Right-click on the file and select "Share."
• Select "My Phone"

Note: If you do not see "My Phone", select Phone Link.

Feedback: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Phone Link.